[Updated] Vancouver Activist House Raided In Anti-Pipeline Vandalism Investigation (Feat. Gord Hill)

Classy, real classy…

Update: Quell surprise, Ben West of ForestEthics has complained that the police were too heavy-handed…

Vancouver has been experiencing a Vandalism problem over the past few months. A person (or persons) have been prolifically spray painting “No Pipelines” on buildings across the east side of the city. The graffiti is in no way artistic; and in some cases has actually been painted over real art (see above). It’s the type of thing that leaves one wondering about the stupidity of some protesters, or if someone is intentionally trying to poison their cause.

New information came to light on the case this week when Vancouver Police executed a search warrant on an East Vancouver house on Parker Street. In an approach similar to last year’s raid on a London, Ontario anarchist house, the search warrant allowed police to confiscate the resident’s digital media. Five people were taken into custody, including on of the country’s most notorious militants.

Gord Hill, militant

The story was broken by Gord Hill, on his blog titled Warrior Publications. Hill is a talented artist whose work glorifies sabotage and violence, one of the country’s most vocal proponents of using militant tactics, and a speaker (joining Ben West from ForestEthics & Kai Nagata from the Dogwood Initiative) at the recent kick-off party for the Tsleil-Waututh nation’s lawsuit against the National Energy Board. Hill is also a resident of the Parker St. residence where the search warrant was executed- his article describes the house as being “comprised of radicals involved in Indigenous resistance as well as anarchist projects in the city”.

Five residents were arrested when police arrived at the house, four of them were released shortly after and told to stay away from the house until they’re notified when to come back. One man was arrested for six counts of Mischief Under $5,000; he was interrogated by the Integrated Graffiti Taskforce, and released without charges- but warned that they might still be laid.

Vancouver Police have confirmed that the raid occurred, but are unable to provide more information due to an ongoing investigation. More to come as the story develops…

Gord Hill’s art leaves little to the imagination…